BALANGA CITY (PIA) — Around 50 parents of identified child laborers in Bataan received livelihood assistance worth about P30,000 each from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), reinforcing government efforts to strengthen household incomes and prevent child labor.
The assistance, distributed under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, aims to help beneficiaries establish or expand small livelihood projects that can provide a stable source of income, reducing the need for children to engage in work at an early age.
The distribution coincided with the commemoration of the 128th Philippine Independence Day and the World Day Against Child Labor held at SM City Bataan.
DOLE Bataan Provincial Head Maylene Evangelista emphasized that improving family income remains central to addressing child labor, noting that economic vulnerability is a key factor driving the issue.
She also reminded beneficiaries to carefully manage the assistance provided to ensure its sustainability.
“Pag ibayuhin po ninyo na sana kumita po kayo at kung ano man po ang magiging kita ninyo ay maitulong ninyo sa inyong mga pamilya. Sana iwasan po natin na magtrabaho po yung mga bata kaya po binibigyan namin kayo ng mga assistance na ganyan ay para po hindi na mapilitan na magtrabaho ang inyo pong mga anak na wala pa sa hustong gulang (I hope you increase your efforts so that you can earn well, and whatever income you make, you can use it to help your families. We hope that we can avoid having children work, which is why we are giving assistance like this, to prevent your children, who are still not of legal age, from being forced to work),” Evangelista added.
Through the program, beneficiaries are also expected to receive guidance in managing sustainable micro-enterprises, ensuring that livelihood projects translate into long-term economic stability for families.
One of the recipients, Marites Reyes, a guardian of child laborers from the City of Balanga, expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the government.
“Malaking bagay at malaking karagdagan ito sa pangkabuhayan namin para mapag aral namin ang mga anak namin. Maraming salamat sa DOLE at sa ating pamahalaan sa pagbibigay sa amin nito. Malaking malaking bagay at tulong ito sa amin (This is a big help and a major addition to our livelihood so that we can send our children to school. Many thanks to DOLE and to our government for giving this to us. This is a very big help and support for us),” she said.
The initiative aligns with the administration’s broader social development agenda under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which prioritizes social protection, child welfare, and expanded livelihood opportunities for vulnerable families.
Evangelista underscored that the observance of Independence Day and the World Day Against Child Labor serves as a reminder of the country’s continuing commitment to safeguarding children’s rights while promoting inclusive economic growth.
“The convergence of these milestones reminds us that freedom also means ensuring that Filipino children are free from exploitation and are able to pursue education and development,” she said.
The activity gathered government officials, beneficiaries, and stakeholders in a shared call to intensify efforts against child labor through livelihood creation, community support, and sustained intervention.
At the same event, DOLE also conducted the Trabaho Agad Job Fair in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office Bataan and the City Government of Balanga, offering 5,885 job vacancies from four overseas employers and 25 local companies.
DOLE reaffirmed its commitment to expand livelihood and child labor prevention programs, supporting efforts to build safer, more resilient, and opportunity-rich communities for Filipino families. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
